Business Planning

• Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Applicants will be notified of the approved/denied status within three months of submitting their application. 
• Grant applications will be awarded based on availability of program funding and merit of project proposal based upon evaluation criteria included in this application.  
• Eligible applicants must submit a complete grant application including a description of need for project funding. Applicants may apply for one business plan in the fiscal year.  
• These are reimbursable funds. Closeout packages must provide necessary documentation per each category before reimbursement is issued. 
• Payment will not be issued to participants who are not in good standing with WAC.  
• In order to receive the reimbursement, applicants must submit an invoice to WAC including proper documentation and receipts. WAC will not reimburse any costs accrued prior to approval of the grant. 
• Applicants may apply for up to $2,000 in grant funding. Applications applied for that exceed $2,000 will be reviewed by the Economic Viability Committee. 
• Approved applications are subject to cancellation after one year. Staff may grant extensions upon request with approval by the Economic Viability Program Manager. 
• Grant recipients agree that a copy of any and all materials and documents, written or otherwise, including invoices, the completed business plan and its contents (sensitive, private or confidential information may be redacted) will be forwarded to WAC. The business owner, consultant and the Economic Viability Program Manager agrees to sign the completed business plan form as part of the reimbursement closeout package.
• The Watershed Agricultural Council’s grantees/participants are at the core of our mission and work. We are most effective when we are working together with participants to achieve the shared impact we all desire. WAC is therefore committed to safeguarding your personal information. All data, materials, knowledge and information generated through this application is to be considered privileged and confidential and is not to be disclosed to any third party with the exception of WAC staff and designated individuals processing applications as well as agents and auditors from funding sources reviewing collected information generated consistent with the terms of the sponsoring agreement. The business owner has the right to redact any sensitive, private or confidential information.

A. The business plans should include but are not limited to the following elements: 

i. executive summary 

ii. mission/vision statements 

iii. business description 

iv. SWOT analysis

v. market analysis 

vi. marketing plan 

vii. operations plan  

viii. management summary 

ix. financial plan & analysis 

B. Business plans must be developed by a qualified consultant from the approved Vendor list identified in Section V. 

C. The business and consultant will be responsible for scheduling meetings and completing a business plan consistent with the requirements outlined in Section II A. within one year from the approval date. WAC and the business owner will review the final plan for compliance and acceptance. 

D. Applicants must submit an estimate of cost for the project with the application. All estimates of cost must be provided by a qualified organization or professional. 

E. Office space is available if needed to meet with selected businesses upon due notice. 

F. Prior to issuing payment, the Economic Viability Program Manager will review the closeout package signed by the business owner that completed it. Applicants must submit a completed business plan with the signed completion form by the consultant and business owner provided by WAC for review. After this review WAC will submit payment via a two party check (payment to vendor) or a check directly to applicant.

G. Review of Application: All applications will be reviewed and approved by the Economic Viability Program Manager based on criteria approved in the Economic Viability Program Handbook.